New Cumberland, Pennsylvania -- After 24 years of service to his country, Lt. Col. Donald B. Moor, retired from the Marine Corps during an emotional ceremony held July 2, at the Defense Distribution Center Susquehanna in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania.
Moor, the 4th Marine Corps District Executive Officer and Lebanon, Missouri native, received his commission into the Marine Corps in December 1995.
According to Moor, before Moor joined the Marine Corps he was looking for something that could challenge him. “The Marine Corps offered the greatest challenge, so that’s why I chose the Marine Corps.”
After commissioning and completing his basic officer training, he attended flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Upon completion was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina in June 1998 where he was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 to serve as a CH-46E pilot, the Information Systems Management Officer and the Flight Line Officer.
During his tour at MCAS New River, Moor deployed twice, once in support of Landing Force Sixth Fleet and again for Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this time Moor also served with NATO forces as the Director of the Personnel Recovery Coordination Center at the Balkans Combined Arms Operations Center in Vicenza, Italy.
In 2003, Moor reported to the 4th Marine Corps District near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where he served as the Aviation Assistant for Officer Procurement. During his time at the district, he assisted recruiters in getting potential officers into the Marine Corps flight programs. This would not be the last time Moor served for the recruiting district.
From 2007 to 2008, Moor attended the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island where he earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. He attended the school to further his education and career as part of the professional military education that all Marines do.
In 2008, Moor reported to Marine Aircraft Group 36 in Okinawa, Japan. He served as the Current Operations Officer and the Assistant Operations Officer. During his time in Okinawa, he deployed to Australia, Thailand and South Korea in support of Combined Force Exercises Key Resolve, Ulchi- Freedom Guardian, Cobra Gold and Talisman Saber.
In 2011, after four years of being away from the district, Moor returned to serve as the Executive Officer.
“I enjoyed 4th Marine Corps District,” said Moor. “Of all of the jobs in the Marine Corps, recruiting has the biggest impact for the future of the Marine Corps. I was happy to come back to the district because it has the most professional and talented recruiters and staff.”
Many of Moor’s fellow Marines had great things to say about him as a Marine and as a person.
“Don is a very professional Marine,” said LtCol. Gerald Murphy, the retiring officer for the ceremony. “He works harder than any person I’ve ever seen. Anything he does, he does to perfection.”
“I try to emulate his work ethic, said Capt. Dale Chung, who worked as the 4th Marine Corps District Adjutant under Moor for two years. “He was always busy taking care of the staff and the district.”